Instructions - Day 1

Step 1: Brainstorming

• Brainstorm possible ...'s. You will need to choose one today, but if you decide to change it later on you may do so, BUT you will have to go back and redo any sections you have completed so they match your new ...
• Look through past projects by clicking on this link: http://www.chemistryislife.com/-themes
• Securing your theme (follow these instructions to make sure you are the first to chose your theme)
• Click here to open a spreadsheet
• Add your class period, name, and chosen theme
• You may not change/erase other people's themes and you may NOT choose the same theme as another person. First come, first serve!

Step 2: Starting your rough draft

• You will be creating an online document to store your research.  This will allow you to continue your research from anywhere in the school, or from home.   

•  Go to www.google.com.  In the top right hand corner hit the "Sign In" button.  If you have a google account you can sign in using your username and password, if you do not have a google account you will need to create an account.  (All you need is your name, and birthdate).   

•  Once you have logged in to your google account find the small grid icon in the top right hand corner of the page.  Select it and find the icon that says "Drive".  Select this icon.   

•  Google Drive allows you to create, share, and publish documents online.  Select the "Create" icon on the left hand side on the screen and select "Document" from the drop down menu.  This will open up a new window where you will type and save your document.  

•  Title your document by changing the title at the top of the page from "Untitled Document" to something related to "The Science of ...".  As you type your project from what you research online it will automatically save!!!! NEAT!   

•  Select share at the top right hand corner of the screen.  In the box that says "Invite People" copy and paste my email address:  hkil2e2n@gmail.com  This will allow me to see how your work is going and to help you out no matter where you are working from.  Make sure you do this step otherwise you will not receive a grade.  

-Step 3: Researching your ... 

**DO NOT COPY/PASTE ANYTHING FROM THE INTERNET! YOU MUST WRITE IT IN YOUR OWN WORDS!**

• Create a section in your project document titled "Background Research"
• This is where you will keep all of the resources you use while researching your topic.
• Copy/paste the url (page address) for every website and webpage you use in your research
• Include a DETAILED description of all important information you found at that website below the url. (make bulleted lists)
• You will continue to add resources to this section throughout the entire project. 
• Keep detailed records of all your resources and the information you get from each because you will need these later when you create your final report in your Bibliography section**
• Minimum requirement - 4 different, reputable resources
• Cannot list Google as a source; Wikipedia is OK in most cases.

• Background Research - things to include
• What is it? Learn everything about it.
• What is it made of? Does it have a food label?
• What chemicals are in it? What
• What are the chemical reactions involved or needed?
• List all of the components of your ... (everything it is made of [ex. sucrose, lactose, polyvinyl-chloride, etc]) 
• If you chose a ... that has multiple parts then you might need to make separate sections for each part (example: The Chemistry of Skateboards: make headings under "The Composition of Skateboards" for each of the 'parts' of the skateboard: Board; Trucks; Wheels; etc? Under each heading include the composition of each 'part').